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Hyperkalemia is a condition where the extracellular concentration of K+ is significantly increased. Which of the following is an effect of hyperkalemia?
A) resting potential will become more negative
B) increased difficulty in action potential generated
C) decreased membrane threshold
D) decreased urine production
The correct answer here is C, and the book explains that it's because the K+ outside will prevent the K+ inside from leaking out. This leads to an overall more positive membrane potential, so it's easier to depolarize the cell and reach threshold. However, I'm wondering why the K+ outside doesn't influence the membrane potential? Won't it make the potential more negative, since there are more positive ions on the outside of the cell? That's why I initially chose A, but that's the wrong answer.
Thanks for your help!
A) resting potential will become more negative
B) increased difficulty in action potential generated
C) decreased membrane threshold
D) decreased urine production
The correct answer here is C, and the book explains that it's because the K+ outside will prevent the K+ inside from leaking out. This leads to an overall more positive membrane potential, so it's easier to depolarize the cell and reach threshold. However, I'm wondering why the K+ outside doesn't influence the membrane potential? Won't it make the potential more negative, since there are more positive ions on the outside of the cell? That's why I initially chose A, but that's the wrong answer.
Thanks for your help!